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Abstract

In discussions surrounding collection development and approval plans, one often forgotten aspect of the conversation is the role of vendors in crafting the profiles and systems that aid library subject selectors in title-by-title selecting. This chapter outlines current approval practices and highlights new challenges, such as integrating e-books and mediating Patron Driven Acquisitions. The chapter aims to provide library selectors with information about the approval profile process so that they can get the most out of meetings with vendors.

Approval Plans: Where Did They Come From And Why Are They Needed?

What began in the 1960's as a way to help libraries spend their burgeoning budgets has since evolved into a sophisticated selection support tool for today's multi-tasking librarian. Approval plans have at times been criticized for outsourcing library selection; however, the sheer volume of tasks that today’s academic librarians face makes them a necessity. Taking a look back at how approval plans have evolved over the past five decades reveals much about how the nature of collection development has changed, and points to where libraries may be headed in the future as they continually refine book acquisition in an ever changing, increasingly technological world.